Adventures in Improv

A riveting conversation with UCB founding member–Matt Besser. Matt is one of the world's best improvisers but also an actor, voice actor, stand-up comedian, writer, producer, teacher, coach, story teller and podcast host. If you're not familiar with Matt's improv, sketch or one-man shows; you might recognize him from his TV appearances. He's been on The New Girl, Modern Family, Parks & Rec, How I Met Your Mother, Drunk History & Frasier to name a few. Films include Bad Teacher, Year One, Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story. He's done a ton of podcasts and, coinciding with this release, his podcast improv4humans will have completed its 500th episode. In this interview he will discuss his start in improv, beginning with the first ever iO show he went to in Chicago. He talks about his training with Del Close and the origin of several improv formats, including the Movie, the "Spineless Harold" and the Horror. He also talks about the importance of playing real (top of your intelligence) and how improv has changed his life. Visit MattBesser.com See Matt Besser's IMDb Listen to the audio series Estates of Perfection Order the improv4humans4music Vol 1 Exclusive LP

Never a dull moment in this interview with world-class improviser Kaisa Kokko-Palmer. Kaisa Kokko is an improviser, director, teacher and communication skills instructor from Finland. Kaisa has studied improvisation (iO Chicago, under Keith Johnstone at Loose Moose, Unexpected Productions Seattle), music, special education, communication skills, various forms of dancing and musical instruments and has Masters in Education. Kaisa has taught impro and applied impro to various groups and levels in several countries which include Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Poland, The Netherlands, Ireland, Costa Rica, Peru, Canada, Australia, The United States and even more. Topics covered are Kaisa's start in improvisational theatre in Finland. We discuss her philosophy around teaching was well as her philosophies around impro with themes that include silence, intimacy and failure. She talks about the role of language in her performance and how she's adjusted to performing in her second language.  Finally she discusses the experience touring around the world teaching and performing in a period that spans 8 years. Visit Kaisa on Instagram Learn more about Impro Helsinki

A start-to-finish, thrilling interview with the mega talent, improviser/actor/writer Jordan Black. Jordan is an alum of The Groundlings, the Los Angeles-based improvisational and sketch comedy troupe and theater where he founded the long running improv show The Black Version. Writing credits include SNL, The Last OG, Last Man Standing and Punky Brewster. As an actor he has appeared in such shows as The Mindy Project, 2 Broke Girls and Key and Peele among several others including a recurring role on Community as Dean Spreck. As a voice actor he’s worked on many shows including South Park and American Dad. In the interview, Jordan talks about his advance through The Groundlings, sharing some insight into style of the theatre. He shares stories about working with some very Hollywood names including a section on how improv is used in acting, when he's worked with Larry David and Christopher Guest. He talks about his experience writing for SNL and performing in The Crazy Uncle Joe Show. The interview culminates with his recount over the formation of The Black Version and his experiences touring overseas. Check out Jordan's IMDb Follow Jordan on Instagram and Twitter

In this episode, Jeff connects with the very funny and talented, New Zealand-based improviser Derek Flores.   Derek has been an active entertainer for over 30 years, cutting his improv teeth at the Loose Moose Theatre under Keith Johnstone. Derek is known for his versatility as an entertainer–being a practitioner of improv, sketch, acting, emceeing, clown, stand up, street performance and cabaret acts.   Derek has toured the world either as himself or as one of two iconic characters–El Jaguar and The Unicorn.   Conversation topics include his early days as a comedian, an update on the current state in New Zealand, his involvement in creating the New Zealand Improv Festival and the future of improv.   Check out Derek and his wife Michi's Production Company/Training Center, Meegwai Productions   Watch the acclaimed Canadian film Waydowntown (featuring Derek Flores)

An incredible chat with the legendary Susan Messing. Susan, a leader in improv, has been at the forefront of it all since the mid 80s. Originally a graduate of the theatre program at Northwestern University, she went on to pursue improv in 1986. She's been doing it ever since, creating curriculums, teaching and performing for the iO, The Annoyance, The Second City, DePaul University, The University of Chicago, and around the globe. She's widely known for her critically acclaimed show Messing With A Friend and also performs regularly with Rachael Mason (friend of the podcast) in The Boys. In this roller coaster of an episode, she will talk about many things including the scene in Chicago 1986, the humility of being a lifelong learner and the current state of improv with predictions for the future. More on Susan in her Wikipedia page Check out The Boys on Facebook

A splendid chat with Vancouver-based improviser Amy Shostak. Amy is also a very inventive producer and one of the city's most in-demand educators. Amy started improvising with Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre in 2002 where she served as the company's Artistic Director for six years. In Vancouver, she teaches improv with Blind Tiger Comedy and performs weekly with Little Mountain Improv. She is also a Festival Organizer of The Vancouver Improv Festival. She tours regularly with her improv duos: Rå Power with Joleen Ballendine, and Amy & Tom with Tom Hill. She is also part of a Canadian Comedy Award-nominated sketch duo Gossamer Obsessions. In this episode, we'll talk about pre show rituals, raw turmeric, creating formats and genres, a recent disaster show and potentially exciting plans for the Vancouver Improv Festival. Check out Amy's official website Learn under Amy at Blind Tiger The Vancouver Improv Festival

In this episode we return to Vancouver to catch up with Tasman Cody Van Rassel, most notably of The Sunday Service, a celebrated improv group he co-founded. Tasman (Taz) is a powerhouse improviser as well as actor, voice actor and teacher. He was nominated as Best Male Improviser in Canada at The Canadian Comedy Awards from 2007-2012. Taz chats about the origins of The Service as well as his origins as a performer though the Canadian Improv Games. He recounts stories of all the odd gigs he’s done over the years, making several references to failed Vancouver businesses. Watch The Sunday Service on Youtube Take improv classes with Blind Tiger Watch the Oscar-nominated short Animal Behaviour Follow Taz on Instagram

In a much anticipated interview, Jeff connects with Carla Cackowski. Carla is an LA-based improviser as well as teacher, writer, director and podcast personality. Carla has performed on the main stage of UCB (Harold & Maude teams) and has maintained teaching positions at Second City Hollywood and Westside Comedy Theatre in Santa Monica. She regularly tours across the world performing and teaching improv with her two person show, “Orange Tuxedo” (with husband Craig Cackowski). She has written and performed 5 solo acts, including her one-act satirical play Hell County, Florida which was commissioned and produced by The Second City Hollywood as part of their Premium Show series. Carla co-wrote and directed the web series Badge of a Quitter, which won the Best New Media Award at the Burbank International Film Festival. Carla was the host of the long running podcast Improv Yak and has been featured on Spontaneation (with Paul F. Tompkins), Alchemy This (with Kevin Pollack) and Craig's List (with Craig Cackowski). In this episode, they chat about one of her very first improv scenes, her training in Chicago and her reintroduction to improv years later in LA. She talks about her many interests outside of improv and shares advice on how to live a balanced life as an improviser. Visit Carla's Official Site (contains podcast & Badge of a Quitter links) Check out The Improv Place

An enthralling conversation with LA-based improv vet and Renaissance man Craig Cackowski.  Craig is a well known comedic actor, featured regularly on series such as Community, Veep & Drunk History. Podcast credits include Spontaneation (with Paul F Tompkins), Improv4Humans, Thrilling Adventure Hour, Alchemy This and his own Craig’s List (with Carla Cackowski). He's played in multiple improv ensembles such as Baby Wants Candy, Dasariski or Orange Tuxedo (also with Carla Cackowski). In the interview Craig chats about his training during the development era of improv in Chicago; his launch into film/tv, which includes his experience on Community as well as obscure comedy "reality" show from the 90s; and his love for movies and lists. He of course sprinkles all his adventure tales with nuggets of wisdom too. On Twitter, follow Craig, Orange Tuxedo, Alchemy This and Craig's List Listen to Craig's List on SoundCloud

Jeff has the most fun chatting with Rachael Mason of Chicago Improv Fame. Rachael is the program head of Advanced Improvisation at Second City. She also teaches at DePaul University, Columbia Chicago, the Harold Ramis Film School and her own workshops all around the world. Rachael is a former member of Baby Wants Candy and has performed regularly at iO and Annoyance. She currently plays with the Second City All Stars as well as in Second City’s first resident improv show, The Boys with Susan Messing. She shares several stories about the early Chicago improv scene including her training under Del Close in his final years. They discuss auditions and the audition process (including SNL's). She also talks about applications for improv outside of comedy shows, including parenting and therapy. This culminates in stories about her adventures entertaining US troops. Follow Rachael Mason on Instagram Follow The Boys on Facebook

A heartwarming interview with Hawaiian improv superhero Garrick Paikai. Garrick is the Artistic Director of Oahu's On The Spot Theatre. In this exchange he recounts his improv journey, touching on all the influences and tools he collected along the way. By combining everything from professional wrestling to Kabuki theatre to silent film, Garrick and his troupe developed a arsenal of styles which they've traveled with internationally. Having recently suffered a stroke, Garrick shares the life lessons he used in his healing and how improv–both as a practice and community–has inspired his recovery. Follow On The Spot Improv on Facebook

A rare two-person interview with Minneapolis-based improvisers Alyssa DiVirgilio and John Gebretatose, members of Blackout Improv! In this whirlwind chit-chat, John & Alyssa talk about their beginnings in improv, their travels to Sweden as well as their experiences as Black improvisers. John is a performer, instructor, co-creator of the Black and Funny Improv Festival and Director of Diversity and Inclusion of HUGE Theater. Alyssa, a top notch improvise and trained actor is a graduate of the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists with continued studies at American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Ivana Chubbuck studios in LA. When not touring the world, both of them perform at Mixed Blood and HUGE Theater. Learn more about Blackout Improv Visit HUGE Theater Visit Mixed Blood Theatre

A lovely conversation with improv comedy star Will Hines. Will is a actor/improviser/coach based out of LA. You know him from UCB where he performs and teaches regularly. He's done every improv podcast worth its salt (now including this one!) His acting credits include Brooklyn 99, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer, Conan O'Brien and many more. He recalls his early days at the UCB and his transition into acting. We move on to discuss some of his other ventures including his band Wayne & Rodney; his books How to be the Greatest Improviser on Earth and Pirate Robot Ninja (co-written with Billy Merritt); and what it means to do improv on-mic. Will is teeming with advice, which is sprinkled throughout the episode, so this is a must listen for anyone looking to up their improv game. Check out Will's official site Review his IMDb Read this: How to be the Greatest Improviser on Earth And this: Pirate Robot Ninja: An Improv Fable

In this season's opener, Jeff chats to improv legend Veena Sood. Aside from being an accomplished, award winning actor, Veena has had a career in improv that has spanned several decades. She recounts her journey, having trained directly under Keith Johnstone which lead to the co-founding of the Loose Moose Theatre. Veena talks about how her acting and improv work together as well as her pivotal role in the LifeGame improv format. Check out Veena's IMDb. And everything else on Veena here.

In the season finale, Jeff connects with UCB bigwig–Billy Merritt, co-author of the recent improv book "Pirate Robot Ninja" (with Will Hines). Billy chats about the early days of Upright Citizens Brigade–having been trained by all four of the founders. As a primer, Billy gives us explanations of the book's concepts as well as core UCB methodology. Other topics include Rupert Holmes, ventriloquism and Rhode Island Clam Chowder. Buy Pirate Robot Ninja  Follow Billy on Twitter (@BillyMerritt)  Watch UCB Comedy Online

Jeff connects with Curious Comedy Theater founder, improviser and Portlander–Stacey Hallal. Stacey's shares her story of how she made her way through many random jobs, leading up to the formation of the theatre in 2008.  Stacey also talks about her comic book and podcast–Ruby Rocket, Private Eye.

Jeff has a conversation with improv heavyweight Mark Sutton. Mark is a Chicago-based performer, instructor and director. He's maybe most notable for his co-founding of the Annoyance Theatre. In addition to this, Mark is the Learning Designer and Lead Facilitator of Second City Chicago and had spent several years as the Artistic Director for the Chicago Improv Festival.  On the discussion table are the origins of the Annoyance Theatre (including its namesake), Bassprov (his partnership with Joe Bill), and a rundown the Chicago scene and how it shaped Mark as a performer.

Jeff chats with improviser, actor, writer, director and teacher–Denise Jones. Denise is a powerhouse performer and can be seen regularly in Vancouver, touring with the Comic Strippers or playing in her show "The Love of Your Life: An Improvised True Romance". She shares a story about a particularly bad show she was in at Chicago Improv Fest.

In this interview with veteran improviser and famous patient Michael Teigen, Michael tells Jeff the selfless story of his kidney donation. They eventually get around to discussing improv and acting, how the two relate and Michael gives real practical tips for budding performers.  More on Michael Teigen here.

Jeff chats with improviser, actor, writer, format creator and producer–Daniel Chai. Daniel shares his improv journey and includes some wonderful tips for those folks who are keen on starting or producing their own shows.  Find Daniel with The Fictionals or listen for him on the podcast he co-hosts with Jeff Porter called The Fear of Science.